Method of and means for sealing containers and the like



Dec. 1, 1931.

c. JOVIGNQT METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKEFiled Nov. 10. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AAAA C. JOVIGNOT Filed Nov. 10,1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 T Q.

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METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS AND THE LIKE Patented Dec. 1,1931 ES JOVIGNOT, OF MONTROUGE, FRANCE METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR SEALINGCONTAINERS .AND THE LIKE Application filed November 10, 1927, Serial No.232,243, and in France May 6, 1927.

In pursuance of my invention 1 provide a metal sealing elementcomprising an annular flange formed on a basal or body portionconstituting, preferably, the main body of a cap, which flange isessentially provided with a suitably disposedreinforc'ed section orsections conveniently produced by embossings, indentations, corrugations.or the like. This elcment is placed upon and supported by the rim ofthe container and vertical force is then applied to the flange in such amanner as, first, to turn over the flange and draw it against theopposing wall of the container until the downward flexure of the metalof the flange between the reinforcing zone and the base of the flange isovercome by the resistance of the reinforcement or reinforcements, and,second, to change the circumferential character of the reinforced areaof the flange in a manner to effect and maintain the tight grippingrelation of the flange to the wall of the container. In the preferredform of embodiment of my invention herein illustrated the reinforcementof-the flange is located circumferentially and parallel to the base ofthe flange, thus presenting a rigid encircling zone which serves, ineffect, as a basal hinge portion about which the outer or free edgeportion of the flange can be bent or turned during the sealing operationin order to impart to such edge portion a curl, bead or the like of anypredetermined cross-section.

If desired a gasket, or liner, composed of paper or other suitablematerial, may be interposed between the sealing element and thecontainer, .in order to contribute to the efficiency of the seal; andalso, if desired, the flange may be formed with tongues, or similarmeans, to facilitate the manual rupturing of the flange to free it fromthe wall of thecontainer to which it has been applied.

The invention comprehends the novel method and means for sealingcontainers, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a metal sealing capembodying a preferred form of my invention, showing the cap as locatedover the mouth of a container in co-operative relation to a sealing die.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the relation of the parts when the capis in sealing position. 7

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are enlarged sectional views illustrating successiverelative positions of the cap and die during the sealing operation.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the form of metal cap illustrated in thepreceding figures.

Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional elevations, similar to Figs. 1 and 2,respectively, of a modified form of sealing cap and die.

Fig. 11 is a section of a metal sealing cap having a corrugatedreinforcin zone.

Fig. 12 is a partial sectional plan t ereof.

Fig. 13 is a section of a cap having a grooved reinforcing zone.

Figs. 14 and 15 are sectional elevations,

similar to Figs. 1 and 2, respectively, of another modified form ofsealing cap and die. Referring to Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, of thedrawings, 16 designates the u per or mouth ortion of a container, as, orexample, a. elly glass, to which is applied a form of sealing capembodying the principles of my invention. This cap may be made of thinhard metal, such-as sheet steel or tin plate, or of soft metal'such assheet aluminum. As herein illustrated a metal blank of appropriate sizeand form is stamped and drawn to present a circular body portion 17bounded by a circumferential upstanding flange 18, which body portion'isof substantially the same diameter as the rim of the container to besealed. Encircling the flange, parallel with theplane of the body 17, isa succession of small semi-spherical protuberances'or knobs 19 which areconveniently formed by embossing the metal constituting the flange, thusprovidin a rein forced annular zone between the' ree edge and the baseof the flange. The free edge may be of plain cylindrical form, or it maybe curved inwardly or outwardly depending .on the final shape to beimparted to the flange 18 when it is finally turned over and set againstthe wall of the container as hereinafter described. In the formillustrated' in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, the free in the turning over ofthe flange during thesealing operation.

The cap hereinbefore described is placed over the mouth of thecontainer, with the flange 18 upstanding, anda sealing die 22,

having in its under surface an annular recess 23 of appropriatecross-section, is imposed upon the outer free edge of the flange,asrepresented in Fig. 1.- Vertical pressure suflicient to depress andturn over the opposing .upstanding flange, in a manner generally similarto the operation of turning over the finger of a glove, is now appliedto the sealing die, or relative upward pressure to the container. Underthe influence of the initial vertical pressure the free edge of theflange 18 retains its normal shape, but the metal between such edge andthe base of the flange, (which metal is materially reinforced bytheintermediate ring of protuberances 19) is forced over and downwardbodily in such a manner that the metal from the base to a point adjacentthe reinforcing zone is gradually drawnjagainst and pressed into closecircumferential contact with the opposing rim and wall of the container,thus producing a depending locking skirt 24, as seen in Figs. 2, 5, 6and'7. In this procedure the outer portion 25 of the flange, includingthe reinforced zone, is gradually caused to assume an inclinedpositionwith relation to the inner or'skirtportion ofthe flange, and as suchportion 25 by virtue of the reinforcing zone, offers increasedresistance to the downward pressure of the die, seal. This gasket orliner may cover the inns sa'rn the bend or curvature 20 of the free endof the flange is gradually increased. The pressure ofthe die can beadjusted to curl the opposing curved edge portion of the flange to orclose-to the reinforced zone, so as to form a relatively close coil ofthebead, as at 26, around the edge of the flange, or to form courserelatively larger if the reinforcement is further away from the freeedge of the flange. The shape given to the curl or coil and the amountof metal therein depend also on the thickness and resistance ofthemetal. This edge-forming step ceases when all the free metal abovethe reinforcing zone has been used up, whereupon the continued downwardpressure of the die upon the flange overcomes the resistance of thereinforced zone, and depresses the inclined reinforced portion of theflange to a plane where it suddenly snaps or swings bodily to asubstantially horizontal position, as seen in Figs. 2 and 6, at whichinstant the juncture of such portion with the skirt portion of theflange has a hinge action. This swinging movement produces twomechanical edicts, to wit, a close circumferential gripping ressure ofthe skirt 24 against the opposing wall of the container andamoleculardeformation of the peripheral metal of the portion 25 of the flangewhich causes a circumferential extension or expan- 1 sion of the freeouter edge of such portion and, coincidentally, a sud en circumferentialshrinkage or constriction thereof at its uncture with the skirt. Theresultant of these two mechanical eifects is a uniformly tight grippingof the wall of the container by and throughout the skirt portion of theinverted flange, in that the succession of embossed protuberances actsas a multiplicity of small clamping levers, thereby ensuring a completesealing of the mouth of the container. The

outwardly positioned encircling portion of the flange constitutes apermanent unyielding protective ring that prevents expansion or of paperor other material, may be interposed between the cap and the rim of thecontainer in order to contribute to the efliciency of the ner face ofthe body and flange of the cap, and may be cemented thereto if desired.Also, if desired, the flange may be formed with one or more tongues, as28, Fig. 9, to facilitate the manual rupturing of the flange to free thecap from the mouth of the sealed container.

In Figs. 9 and 10 is shown a form of cap in which the free edge of theflange is flexed or curved inwardly, as at 20, the acting face of thedie being recessed to accord therewith. In this form the reinforcingprotuberances are represented as oblong.

In Figs. 11 and 12 is shown a cap similar to that illustrated in Fig. 9but indicating the reinforcing zone as produced by circumfer entiallycorrugating the metal of the flange.

In Fig. 13 is shown a cap having the reinforcing zone in the flangeproduced by an annular groove and having the free edge of the flangehorizontally deflected.

In Figs. 14 and 15 is shown a modified type of cap for use in connectionwith a container such as a goblet or barrel-shaped glass having inwardlyinclined walls adjacent the rim. In this construction the body 17 of thecap is formed with a raised portion a having a depending cylindricalside portion 1) connected with the characteristic upstanding reinforcedv flange 18 by a horizontal basal ring 0. The portion a rises slightlyabove the level of the upper edge of the flange, the exterior diameterof such portion being somewhat less than the inside diameter of themouth of the container. The ring 0 is preferably provided with anannular groove d to facilitate the positioning of the cap on the rim ofthe contain- In this case the sealing die consists of a centralcylindrical member 220 which overhangs the raised portion a of the capwhen the latter is seated on the container, and a concentric undergrooved ring member 22', which overhangs the upstanding flange 18 of thecap; said die members being vertically movable in a manner to act uponthe opposing cap portions; that is to say, the cap portion a is forceddown by the member 220 into the mouth of the container in such a manneras to bear tightly against the rim and the interior wall of the vessel,and the flange 18 is turned over and set against the outer wall of thecontainer by the action of the member 22', substantially in the same wayas pointed out with respect to the first described construction. Thelower peripheral portion of the cap body thus seated in the containerand encircling the inner side of the wall of the latter being of greaterdiameter than the opening or mouth of the container, co-operates withthe turned over flange encircling the outer side of thewall to effectand maintain the tight locking of the cap to the container.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the preciseforms and means herein illustrated and described, as the same may bemodified in various particulars withcircumference of the flange, as inthe construc tions illustrated. Moreover, in some cases the lockingflange member may be employed to secure a separate top or cap portion tothe container or other object to which the device is applied.

I claim- 1. A method of sealing containers and the like having smoothwalls adjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metalsealing element embodying a basal portion and an annular flange with areinforced portion spaced from the base of the flange; )lacing saidbasal portion on the rim of a container; forcibly depressing said flangerelatively to the container to turn over the flange and draw it againstthe opposin wall of the container until the downward Eexure of the metalof the flange between the reinforced portion and the base of the flangeis overcome by the resistance of said reinforced portion; and continuingthe force on the flange to change the circumferential character of thereinforced portion thereof, thereby eifecting and maintaining the tightgripping relation of the flange to the wall of the container. 4

2. A method of sealing containers and the like having smooth wallsadjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealingelement embodying a basal portion I and an annular flange with anencircling reinforcing zone spaced from the base of the flange; placingsaid basal portion on the rim of a container; forcibly depressing saidflange relatively to the container to turn over the flange and draw itagainst the opposing wa l of the container until the downward flexure ofthe metal of the flange between the reinforcing zone and the base of theflange is overcome by the resistance of said reinforcing zone; andcontinuing the force on the flange to change the circumferentialcharacter of the reinforced portion thereof, thereby effecting andmaintaining the tight gripping relation of the flange to the wall of thecontainer.

3. A method of sealing containers and the like having smooth wallsadjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealingelement embodying a basal portion and an annular flange with acontinuous sucbasal portion on therim gt a container; ap-

cession of protuberances constituting an encircling reinforcing zonespaced from the base of the flange; placing said basal portion on therim of a container; forcibly depressing said flange relatively to thecontainer to turn over the flange and draw it against the opposing wallof the container until the downward fiexure of the metal of the flangebetween the reinforcing zone and the base of the flange is overcome bythe resistance of said reinforcing zone, and continuing the force on theflange to change the circumferential character 'of the reinforcedportion thereof, thereby effecting and maintaining the tightgrippingrelation of the flange to the wall of the container;

4. A method ofsealing containers and the like having smooth wallsadjacent the rims thereof, which comprises providing a metal sealingelement embodying a basal portion and an annular flange with'a deflectedfree edge and with a reinforced portion spaced from the base of theflange; placing said plying upon and around said edge vertical pressureeffective to depress said flange relatively to the container to turnover the flange and draw it against the opposing wall of the containeruntil the downward flexure of the metal of the flange between thereinforced portion and the base of the flange is overcome by theresistance of said reinforced portion; and continuing the downward forceon the flange so as to bend or curl the free edge of the flange and thento change the circumferential character of the reinforced portion inamanner to effect and maintain the tight gripping relation of the flangeto the Wall of the container.

and then to bend or curl the free edge a 5. The step in the art ofsealin g a container with a sheet metal element having a circumferentialflange provided with an encircling reinforcing zone, consisting inapplying to said flange vertical pressure effective'to turir over theflange and draw it against the wall of the container until the downwardmovement of the element is arrested by the resistance of the saidreinforcing zone, and then effective to cause a variation of thecircumferential character of the metal to clamp the flange against thewall of the container.

6. The step in the art of sealing a containor with a sheet metal elementhaving an upstanding circumferential flange provided with a deflectedfree edge and with an encirthe wall of the container.

its outer face and a circumferential flange enclosing the face of thebase opposite that engaged by the container, said flange being providedwith a reinforcing portion spaced from the base or body portion, saidelement being adapted to be placed over the mouth of a container and theupstandin flange then forcibly depressed and turned over and ,against 8.A sheet metal sealing element comprising a circular base or body portionhaving a concentric container receivin' depression in its outer face anda circum erential flange enclosing the face of the base 0 posite thatengaged by the container, said ange being provided with a continuoussuccession of protuberances spaced from the base or body portion andconstituting a reinforcing zone, said element being adapted to be placedover the mouth of a container and the upstanding flange then forciblydepressed and turned over and drawn'against the wall of the container.

9. The combination with a container, of a sealing element thereonincluding a turned over annular flange having a reinforcing zone spacedfrom the rim of the container, said flange presenting a circumferentialskirt drawn against theopposing wall of the container and terminating inan externally projecting reinforced annulus which effects andrrlliaintains inward clamping force on the s irt.

10. The combination with a container, of a sealing element thereonincluding a turned over annular flange having a reinforcing zone spacedfrom the rim of the container, said flange presenting a circumferentialskirt drawn against the opposing wall of the container and terminatingin an externally pro-' jecting reinforced annulus having a peripheralcurl 01",b6I1d, said annulus effecting and nlliaintaining inwardclamping force on the s irt.-

11-. A method of sealing containers hav-' ing'smooth walls adjacent therim thereof, which comprises placing a sheet metal sealing elementthereon having a basal portion and a flange extending upwardly from thecontainer and substantially perpendicular to the basal portion, applyingpressure to stretch the outer portion of the flange and turn itsupwardly extending portion outwardly into a plane substantially parallelwith the basal portion, whereby'outer portions of the flange areincreased in diameter and thereby press the inner portion of the flangeagainst the walls of the container.

12. A method of sealing containers having smooth walls adjacent the rimthereof, which comprises placing a sheet metal sealing element thereonhaving a basal portion and a flange extending upwardly from thecontainer and substantially perpendicular to the basal portion, applyingpressure to open the flange outwardly to stretch the outer portion andto press the inner portion against the Wall of the container.

1'3. Asheet metal sealing element having a 5 basal portion and a flangeprovided with a reinforced portion spaced from the junction between thebasal portion and the flange, the flange extending substantiallyperpendicular to the basal portion before application and arranged to beopened outwardly to stretch the outer portion and contract the innerportion of said flange.

CHARLES .TOVIGNOT.

